The good shepherd
It was a spring evening, the middle of the war in Yugoslavia. Belgrade was getting bombed every day and the refugees from Kosovo were starving, sick and far from their homes.
In Eastern Ontario, Canada, however, a small group of Christians were in a sanctuary, surrounding by burning candles and songs of birds outside. We were in church to pray for peace and hope it made a difference. It was a church somewhat out of my way, and it was very small and they didn't have much money. The stained glass windows were all plain.
At the church I usually went to, the windows were fancy and had several detailed scenes from the Bible and were colourful. I remember thinking that I liked those images better. Then, getting ready to begin the service, the minister flipped on a light that illuminated one last stained glass window, above the altar. It was a picture of Jesus standing in a field with sheep, holding a lamb.
Five words underneath:
"I am the good Shepherd"
I had a sudden realization:
The Good Shepherd is really all we need now.
© Laurel Seybold